Germany’s Hospital Association Urges Swift Financial Aid as Summer Break Looms
The Die Krankenhausgesellschaft Nordrhein-Westfalen (KGNW), Germany’s hospital association, is calling for immediate financial assistance from the federal government, led by Health Minister Nina Warken, before the summer break.
According to KGNW President Ingo Morell, the most pressing decision will be to end the historical deficit crisis in hospitals. He emphasized that the financial situation of many hospitals is precarious and requires swift action from the new government before the summer break. Morell stressed the need for an immediate inflation adjustment to counter the rising costs since 2022.
“If the economy’s auditors no longer see an improvement in the economic perspective, the air for many clinics could become too thin” Morell warned, highlighting the urgency of the situation. He urged the new health minister to stabilize the hospitals immediately.
The association reported a significant increase in hospital insolvencies, with 61 cases nationwide as of February 2025, compared to 39 a year prior.
Moreover, Morell demanded a correction of the federal hospital reform, calling for the return of flexibility for regional hospital planning to ensure patient care in all regions.